John Hindhaugh in PLM commentary more or less confirmed that it will be a new car based on 7 Series platform, as far as he knows. Z5 will be convertible only.

Exactly as Mike E said, Toyota apparently has the exclusive use of the platform as a coupe so a Z5 GTE car would be unlikely. It sounds like the return of the 8 series is more what BMW has in mind. I'm thinking a similar thing to the NSX as a hybrid streetcar with them playing the rules to make a GTE engine out of it. Course at the same time Hindy also made it sound like they were working on an LMP1 car if I'm remembering correctly through the sun and beer induced fog

Exactly as Mike E said, Toyota apparently has the exclusive use of the platform as a coupe so a Z5 GTE car would be unlikely. It sounds like the return of the 8 series is more what BMW has in mind. I'm thinking a similar thing to the NSX as a hybrid streetcar with them playing the rules to make a GTE engine out of it. Course at the same time Hindy also made it sound like they were working on an LMP1 car if I'm remembering correctly through the sun and beer induced fog

I haven't seen that information before. Where did you read that? I have read the two cars will be like the BRZ/GT86 except different types of styling and engine. I don't know why BMW would only want a convertible when they're testing the fixed roof version and soft top concurrently. But I don't know for certain so I wonder if that's true.

I haven't seen that information before. Where did you read that? I have read the two cars will be like the BRZ/GT86 except different types of styling and engine. I don't know why BMW would only want a convertible when they're testing the fixed roof version and soft top concurrently. But I don't know for certain so I wonder if that's true.

Something Hindy had said when they were talking about BMW going to WEC and LM with a full spec homologated car. I haven't seen much in the main 'print' but haven't been looking for any details myself.

I would assume BMW want the soft top to replace the Z4 and are making it a softer boulevarder than a sportscar, and thus are dropping the coupe from the range as it apparently sold terribly. And that's for a car that apparently sold terribly in general.

It's fairly obvious that LMP1 is on BMWs mind and as we say in German, "Aufgeschoben ist nicht aufgehoben", which roughly translates to "Just because you postpone something does not mean it's not going to happen"

I think the GTE effort is a trial for BMW in many ways, if they feel they´re getting their money's worth for being part of the WEC then they'll join LMP1 as soon as the rules fit the technology they want to bring.

It's fairly obvious that LMP1 is on BMWs mind and as we say in German, "Aufgeschoben ist nicht aufgehoben", which roughly translates to "Just because you postpone something does not mean it's not going to happen"

I think the GTE effort is a trial for BMW in many ways, if they feel they´re getting their money's worth for being part of the WEC then they'll join LMP1 as soon as the rules fit the technology they want to bring.

@Acid09
Well said!!!! When I look the article regarding the BMW LMP1 participation , The title is "BMW Rules out LMP1 Program" . When I read this article , I think this planning and this things is not gonna to happen at all, but this one is just the postpone instead of aborting the plan.

And BMW participate WEC in LMGTE-Pro category is the trial for BMW participate for WEC race because they didn't race WEC for a long time.